Manila GCP Seminar Questions

[Jason and May 79]

For those who have completed this fairly recently, my understanding is the GCP completion is obtained immediately following the seminar completion. Is this accurate? 

 

Last, what is the timeframe for booking? Was booking a few days out? A couple weeks? Or was booking pretty easily obtained? 

 

TIA

[Ontarkie 14,193]

~~Moved to the Regional forum, from IR1/CR1 P&P- as the OP is asking country specific questions?~~

[Edward and Jaycel 138]

29 minutes ago, Jason and May said:

For those who have completed this fairly recently, my understanding is the GCP completion is obtained immediately following the seminar completion. Is this accurate? 

 

Last, what is the timeframe for booking? Was booking a few days out? A couple weeks? Or was booking pretty easily obtained? 

 

TIA

 

My fiancee has not done hers yet but I was watching a bunch of videos from Filipinas that have done theirs in the last few months so we can be prepared for what to expect. When they demonstrated the booking process, the calendar looked pretty open... Less than a week wait. 

 

At the end of the GCP session when you are checking out, they give you a QR code to scan and it will email the completion certificate to you. Make sure you check it for accuracy in the information contained (spelling of names, destination country, etc.) and make sure there is no expiration date on it.

[Jason and May 79]

15 minutes ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

 

My fiancee has not done hers yet but I was watching a bunch of videos from Filipinas that have done theirs in the last few months so we can be prepared for what to expect. When they demonstrated the booking process, the calendar looked pretty open... Less than a week wait. 

 

At the end of the GCP session when you are checking out, they give you a QR code to scan and it will email the completion certificate to you. Make sure you check it for accuracy in the information contained (spelling of names, destination country, etc.) and make sure there is no expiration date on it.

Excellent information to know! Thank you! 

[top_secret 2,387]

Lately there have been few complaints about CFO and they seem to be working more or less quickly and efficiently.  You will still probably see a lot of horror stories online from the rona era through about summer 2023 when they had a total meltdown.   They have since scaled back their mission and things seem better now.

[Swafford25 20]

My wife had her CFO seminar on 28th of May. That was the only available spot when we looked to book an appointment on the 25th when we picked up her passport. She got to the office at 6am and was one of the first in line and since she was early they actually did her interview before the seminar instead of after, she had no issues getting the certificate as it was emailed before she left the building. 
 

I know others had issues some issues, but I recommend get there as early as possible and be one of the first to get interviewed. Those counselors see hundreds of people a day, so I am sure they get more and more aggravated as they go through the day. 
 

So my advice, book when visa is on hand and go early, yes you will wait awhile but rather wait for hopefully an easier process than being the 200th person interviewed. Also, make sure to bring all the documents as requested on the CFO website, we just brought the entire packet she had for the interview.

 

Hope this helps!

[Jason and May 79]

Thank you for the help thus far!  

 

My wife has a CFO from when we met in Thailand in 2021. She is under the impression that because she has a CFO, she is not required to book a GCP seminar online (or do the GCP seminar) and can walk into the CFO and get a stamp and be good to go…? 

 

I’ve not found anything on the CFO site that indicates this or found any other resources that do. She said “a girl” told her this. She is going to call the CFO office to inquire, but I thought I would ask here. 

 

Anyone have experience with this? 

 

 

[Edward and Jaycel 138]

14 minutes ago, Jason and May said:

Thank you for the help thus far!  

 

My wife has a CFO from when we met in Thailand in 2021. She is under the impression that because she has a CFO, she is not required to book a GCP seminar online (or do the GCP seminar) and can walk into the CFO and get a stamp and be good to go…? 

 

I’ve not found anything on the CFO site that indicates this or found any other resources that do. She said “a girl” told her this. She is going to call the CFO office to inquire, but I thought I would ask here. 

 

Anyone have experience with this? 

 

 

 

Does it have an expiration date on it?

[Jason and May 79]

6 minutes ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

 

Does it have an expiration date on it?

No. She recalls them explaining and also checked when I asked that. There is no expiration noted. 

[Edward and Jaycel 138]

21 minutes ago, Jason and May said:

No. She recalls them explaining and also checked when I asked that. There is no expiration noted. 

 

That's interesting... I don't know if that would be valid or not.

[Jason and May 79]

1 minute ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

 

That's interesting... I don't know if that would be valid or not.

I’ve never heard of this before, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a thing, I guess. She says the girl who advised her said her sister had the same situation as my wife and just had to do a walk in to get a new stamp. 🤷🏽‍♂️

 

If we don’t get an answer here, hopefully she can get the answer on Monday from someone at the CFO. I would just like to be prepared for after she gets her visa in hand.

[top_secret 2,387]

1 hour ago, Jason and May said:

Thank you for the help thus far!  

 

My wife has a CFO from when we met in Thailand in 2021. She is under the impression that because she has a CFO, she is not required to book a GCP seminar online (or do the GCP seminar) and can walk into the CFO and get a stamp and be good to go…? 

 

I’ve not found anything on the CFO site that indicates this or found any other resources that do. She said “a girl” told her this. She is going to call the CFO office to inquire, but I thought I would ask here. 

 

Anyone have experience with this? 

 

 

  

 

I think technically she is supposed to "update" her CFO.  A walk-in is probably all it takes and I 'think' it can even be done online.  If she still has her old counselors e-mail or WhatsApp I'd try messaging them directly.

[Jason and May 79]

11 hours ago, top_secret said:

  

 

I think technically she is supposed to "update" her CFO.  A walk-in is probably all it takes and I 'think' it can even be done online.  If she still has her old counselors e-mail or WhatsApp I'd try messaging them directly.

Thank you for answering! 

 

Turns out she did contact her old counselor (my wife is smarter than me)  and learned that as long as your GCP need is for the same partner as a prior CFO and there was no expiration for your prior CFO, then you can walk in and get the GCP stamp. No need to make an appointment or do the seminar. 

 

Thank you for the help. I appreciate it! 

[Edward and Jaycel 138]

1 minute ago, Jason and May said:

Thank you for answering! 

 

Turns out she did contact her old counselor (my wife is smarter than me)  and learned that as long as your GCP need is for the same partner as a prior CFO and there was no expiration for your prior CFO, then you can walk in and get the GCP stamp. No need to make an appointment or do the seminar. 

 

Thank you for the help. I appreciate it! 

 

Great information! Thanks for sharing that